The Washington critic., 1887-12-17
MAKING A QUIET FIGHT.
Local Candidates for the District At.
tOrneyship.
LAWYERS WHO DON'T WANT 1T.
What the Position Pays and Its Desir-
ability.

The term of office of District Attorney
Worthington expires on the, 22d of
next month, and considerable specula-
tion is already being indulged in as to
the person who will be his successor.
There is an impression among great
many that the Office will not be given to
District man. Mr.. Worthington has
given general satisfaction in his admin
istration of the office, but owing to the
fact that he is Republican has been
looked upon as ont of the race. This
morning, in response to II question as to
his attitude in the matter, he said
briefly and with his customary positive
ness:
~ am not candidate. don't think
the President would appoint a Republi-
can, and if he would don't want the
office"
THE LEADING CANDIDATES.
II was learned to-day, after talk
with numerous legal luminaries, that
the three leading local candidates are
Hugh 7. Taggart, Henry Il. Davis and
candidates mentioned who are making
every effort in their power to get the
office and the accompanying $4,000.
Judge A. II. Jackson has filed with the
President an application for the office
Mr.. Henry Wise Gitrnett has been
spoken of in connection with the Office,
but he authorized q CRITIc reporter to
state that he is an applicant for no office.
Mr.. Campbell Darlington said he is
| not an applicant, because his father had
At.,., f.,r Al, hn "a N
Assistant District Attorney, and he
thinks his family has had its share of
the public patronage so far as the Dis
trict Attorneys office is concerned. He
said, also, that he is advocating Charlie
Moore for the place.
Mr.. Moore has taken q prominent
part in District politics and he will have
the support of the Jackson Democratic
Association, besides other political back
ing.
Mr.. Henry L. Davis is said TO have
strong political and other. support for
the Office.
Mr.. Taggart is lifelong Democrat
and has been active in several political
movements. He has been an able first
assistant to Mr.. Worthington, and also
the former District Attorney.
Mr.. Jackson claims to have the sup
port of the New York delegation, besides
having the support Of the Federation of
Labor.
Mr.. John A. Clark, prominent young
member of the jackson Democratic AS
sociation, said it is not true that he is an
applicant. 81 don't think / would get
ii If ] was" said he, 'and l am not CO.
ing TO rush ip where angels fear to
| tread"
OF the present attaches of the District
Attorneys office Andrew A. Lipscomb
is one of the most prominent, owing to
the fact that he has of late prosecuted
nearly all the Governments cases in the
Criminal Court, and with much success.
He is n comparatively young man, but
he il familiar with the business of the
Office and his politics are all right.
b Hugh 4. Taggart who is temporarily
employed on the Potomac flats cases,
is one of the most popular of the Dis
ttrict candidates and is generally recog.
Lnized nsaa strong favorite.
The regular duties in the District AT
torney's Office are those which Mr.. Lips
comb has been discharging, Mr.. Tag
gart's time having been entirely with
the Potomac flats cases.
Randolph Coyle, whose indictments
are the especial dislike of the faw-pick
ing lawyer, has been talked of.
Mr.. John p. Sheppard has been talked
of asa man fully capable of sustaining
the dignity of the Office. He has prose
cpted cases in the Police Court with 9
vigor and depth of legal perception that
has challenged the admiration of soms
of the greatest experts on assault and
battery and petit larceny. He has moi
been active in pressing any claim to the
office. 1t is more than probable that the
talk about him has been without hi.
knowledge or consent, and that, like Mr.
Worthington, he would not have tht
office if it were rendered him.